From Your Man In India (YMII) to GetFriday: A.J. Jacobs’ journey from ‘then’ to ‘now’ of outsourcing

When A.J. Jacobs wrote about Your Man In India in his article My Outsourced Life almost twelve years ago, he said, “I REALLY SHOULDN’T HAVE to write this article myself,” playfully flaunting his newly-found solace with outsourcing. Starting a valuable relationship with YMII’s (Your Man in India) virtual assistance back then, A.J. Jacobs found peace of mind by outsourcing his personal life. YMII, before handing over its virtual assistant services to GetFriday, offered remote executive assistants to handle personal tasks as per the requirement of clients. In this case, the client was A.J. Jacobs, a proficient writer for Esquire Magazine, who wanted an extra helping hand to tackle his everyday personal tasks.   Working or rather living with a virtual assistant for more than a decade helped him  acknowledge his good decision. In fact, this was what he asked for when he first approached YMII. “I would like to hire a talented person or people in India to take care of as many of my life tasks as possible. I would be interested in having someone to answer my calls or emails. Nothing would benefit me unlike a remote executive assistant”. The virtual assistance providing organization tried to plan out how to fulfill Jacobs’ requirements, as he was literally trying to outsource his personal life to a company in India. The year was 2005, and it was tricky to implement the process as nobody had tried anything like that before. However, the team decided to go forward with the experiment and soon it proved to be a huge success. At first, one YMII(Now called as GetFriday)virtual assistant was assigned to help Jacobs over a couple of months and a few slips here and there did happen. The cultural differences sometimes proved a bit difficult to sort out, but as days progressed, both the parties got along well. Wondering how to choose a virtual assistant? All you need to do is look for 8 soft skills. In the first mail regarding work, Jacobs had mentioned that if everything went well, he would do the publicity for the company through his magazine, Esquire. Soon enough, as a couple of months passed by, Jacobs was truly pleased with YMII. His article, featuring YMII, was published in September 2005 on Good Morning America, the American morning television show. It was on this note that GetFriday surfaced as a new separate brand and started to provide impeccable virtual assistance to anyone who needed it. Moreover, as Jacobs saw the creative and extreme functional capabilities of the virtual assistants at handling tasks from overseas, he bonded more with the company. Asha and Naveen were his VAs who helped him perform his everyday tasks like answering morning mails, effectively handling unwanted invitations, even ordering birthday gifts for his wife. Here are six things even you MUST outsource to a virtual assistant. Jacobs felt he was living with his family who understood him really well. They were also like a constant support system, giving him positive feedback on every task he did. He found solace as he outsourced his personal life as he had ample time to reflect upon his career, goals and passion. For more on A.J. Jacobs’ life and his nine extraordinary experiments on himself, please check out his brilliant book, My Experimental Life “It’s very strange to have people working for you while you are asleep. But it’s great. It’s not a time waste while I am drooling on my pillow; everything is getting done,” he said. In fact, in a video shot almost 11 years later, Jacobs congratulates GetFriday for their well deserved success, and playfully points out that if he would have asked one of his assistants at GetFriday to make the video, it would have been done sooner and much better.  

From Your Man In India (YMII) to GetFriday: A.J. Jacobs’ journey from ‘then’ to ‘now’ of outsourcing Read More »

When A.J. Jacobs wrote about Your Man In India in his article My Outsourced Life almost twelve years ago, he said, “I REALLY SHOULDN’T HAVE to write this article myself,” playfully flaunting his newly-found solace with outsourcing. Starting a valuable relationship with YMII’s (Your Man in India) virtual assistance back then, A.J. Jacobs found peace of mind by outsourcing his personal life. YMII, before handing over its virtual assistant services to GetFriday, offered remote executive assistants to handle personal tasks as per the requirement of clients. In this case, the client was A.J. Jacobs, a proficient writer for Esquire Magazine, who wanted an extra helping hand to tackle his everyday personal tasks.   Working or rather living with a virtual assistant for more than a decade helped him  acknowledge his good decision. In fact, this was what he asked for when he first approached YMII. “I would like to hire a talented person or people in India to take care of as many of my life tasks as possible. I would be interested in having someone to answer my calls or emails. Nothing would benefit me unlike a remote executive assistant”. The virtual assistance providing organization tried to plan out how to fulfill Jacobs’ requirements, as he was literally trying to outsource his personal life to a company in India. The year was 2005, and it was tricky to implement the process as nobody had tried anything like that before. However, the team decided to go forward with the experiment and soon it proved to be a huge success. At first, one YMII(Now called as GetFriday)virtual assistant was assigned to help Jacobs over a couple of months and a few slips here and there did happen. The cultural differences sometimes proved a bit difficult to sort out, but as days progressed, both the parties got along well. Wondering how to choose a virtual assistant? All you need to do is look for 8 soft skills. In the first mail regarding work, Jacobs had mentioned that if everything went well, he would do the publicity for the company through his magazine, Esquire. Soon enough, as a couple of months passed by, Jacobs was truly pleased with YMII. His article, featuring YMII, was published in September 2005 on Good Morning America, the American morning television show. It was on this note that GetFriday surfaced as a new separate brand and started to provide impeccable virtual assistance to anyone who needed it. Moreover, as Jacobs saw the creative and extreme functional capabilities of the virtual assistants at handling tasks from overseas, he bonded more with the company. Asha and Naveen were his VAs who helped him perform his everyday tasks like answering morning mails, effectively handling unwanted invitations, even ordering birthday gifts for his wife. Here are six things even you MUST outsource to a virtual assistant. Jacobs felt he was living with his family who understood him really well. They were also like a constant support system, giving him positive feedback on every task he did. He found solace as he outsourced his personal life as he had ample time to reflect upon his career, goals and passion. For more on A.J. Jacobs’ life and his nine extraordinary experiments on himself, please check out his brilliant book, My Experimental Life “It’s very strange to have people working for you while you are asleep. But it’s great. It’s not a time waste while I am drooling on my pillow; everything is getting done,” he said. In fact, in a video shot almost 11 years later, Jacobs congratulates GetFriday for their well deserved success, and playfully points out that if he would have asked one of his assistants at GetFriday to make the video, it would have been done sooner and much better.  

Success Story: Supporting NAVIN’s IT Services with Historical Bookkeeping

Success Story: Supporting NAVIN’s IT Services with Historical Bookkeeping

Client Background: NAVIN’s IT Services (Anaheim, California), an ambitious entrepreneur running an IT services business, encountered significant challenges in managing his financial records. Over time, his books of accounts had become scattered and were not maintained adequately, making it difficult to reconcile accounts and comply with tax regulations. Realizing the need for professional assistance, NAVIN sought our historical bookkeeping services.  Challenges Encountered: NAVIN faced numerous difficulties with his financial records, including:  Unbalanced bank accounts, credit card accounts, and loan accounts.  Errors in balance sheet ledgers such as Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable.  The mingling of personal transactions with business finances.  Untracked activity in his investment accounts.  These complications not only posed risks for compliance but also impacted financial clarity and decision-making.  Our Approach: We diligently worked to address NAVIN’s bookkeeping challenges, focusing on:  Error Correction: Identifying and rectifying inaccuracies from previous years.  Reconciliation: Balancing all financial accounts to ensure accuracy.  Compliance Alignment: Organizing NAVIN’s records in accordance with accounting standards and tax regulations.  Through consistent communication and attention to detail, we successfully brought order to NAVIN’s financial records.  Results Achieved: Following the completion of our historical bookkeeping services, NAVIN’s business benefited greatly:  Accurate Financial Records: His books are now error-free, giving him confidence in their accuracy.  Compliance with Tax Regulations: Properly organized records ensure that NAVIN remains fully compliant.  Improved Decision-Making: Comprehensive reports provide valuable insights into his business performance.  Enhanced Cash Flow Management: Reconciled accounts enable better tracking and forecasting of cash flow.  Tax Advantages: Previously overlooked deductions were uncovered, resulting in tangible savings.  Peace of Mind: NAVIN no longer worries about his historical financial records.  Time Efficiency: With his records in order, NAVIN can now devote his energy to growing his business.  Client Feedback: “I am extremely grateful for the historical bookkeeping services I received. The team’s meticulous approach and clear communication gave me clarity and peace of mind. My financial records are now in excellent shape, and I feel confident moving forward. This service has been invaluable!”  This story demonstrates the importance of historical bookkeeping in resolving past financial challenges while setting the stage for future success. It’s always a pleasure to support dedicated professionals like NAVIN!  Ready to experience the same peace of mind Navin found with GetFriday? Contact us today to see how our Bookkeeping services can support your business growth and free you to focus on what matters most.  

Success Story: Supporting NAVIN’s IT Services with Historical Bookkeeping Read More »

Client Background: NAVIN’s IT Services (Anaheim, California), an ambitious entrepreneur running an IT services business, encountered significant challenges in managing his financial records. Over time, his books of accounts had become scattered and were not maintained adequately, making it difficult to reconcile accounts and comply with tax regulations. Realizing the need for professional assistance, NAVIN sought our historical bookkeeping services.  Challenges Encountered: NAVIN faced numerous difficulties with his financial records, including:  Unbalanced bank accounts, credit card accounts, and loan accounts.  Errors in balance sheet ledgers such as Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable.  The mingling of personal transactions with business finances.  Untracked activity in his investment accounts.  These complications not only posed risks for compliance but also impacted financial clarity and decision-making.  Our Approach: We diligently worked to address NAVIN’s bookkeeping challenges, focusing on:  Error Correction: Identifying and rectifying inaccuracies from previous years.  Reconciliation: Balancing all financial accounts to ensure accuracy.  Compliance Alignment: Organizing NAVIN’s records in accordance with accounting standards and tax regulations.  Through consistent communication and attention to detail, we successfully brought order to NAVIN’s financial records.  Results Achieved: Following the completion of our historical bookkeeping services, NAVIN’s business benefited greatly:  Accurate Financial Records: His books are now error-free, giving him confidence in their accuracy.  Compliance with Tax Regulations: Properly organized records ensure that NAVIN remains fully compliant.  Improved Decision-Making: Comprehensive reports provide valuable insights into his business performance.  Enhanced Cash Flow Management: Reconciled accounts enable better tracking and forecasting of cash flow.  Tax Advantages: Previously overlooked deductions were uncovered, resulting in tangible savings.  Peace of Mind: NAVIN no longer worries about his historical financial records.  Time Efficiency: With his records in order, NAVIN can now devote his energy to growing his business.  Client Feedback: “I am extremely grateful for the historical bookkeeping services I received. The team’s meticulous approach and clear communication gave me clarity and peace of mind. My financial records are now in excellent shape, and I feel confident moving forward. This service has been invaluable!”  This story demonstrates the importance of historical bookkeeping in resolving past financial challenges while setting the stage for future success. It’s always a pleasure to support dedicated professionals like NAVIN!  Ready to experience the same peace of mind Navin found with GetFriday? Contact us today to see how our Bookkeeping services can support your business growth and free you to focus on what matters most.  

How is AI Transforming Human Virtual Assistance?

How is AI Transforming Human Virtual Assistance?

In a recent conversation with Sunder P, CEO of GetFriday, Nishant Kapoor (Productivity Coach and Consultant) in UK discussed how AI is reshaping the landscape of human virtual assistant tasks. Nishant highlighted that AI tools are highly efficient for automating research, summarizing information, and repurposing content—tasks that traditionally required significant human effort. Instead of manually searching for information, AI can now fetch, compile, and present insights almost instantly. However, Nishant also emphasized that while AI is a game-changer for repetitive and structured tasks, it still falls short when it comes to handling complex, multi-step processes that require critical thinking, decision-making, and adaptability. Tasks involving extensive back-and-forth communication, nuanced problem-solving, and strategic execution continue to rely heavily on human assistants. Rather than replacing human VAs, AI is becoming a complementary tool, allowing assistants to focus on higher-value activities that demand judgment, emotional intelligence, and personalization. GetFriday is training its assistant to use AI tools effectively to optimize work outcomes for its clients. So you get the power of AI with the guard rails of human due diligence. Video Transcript (Nishant Kapoor)  Nishant: I definitely think I would say that a lot of my. research right, I can ask AI, you know, for example, anything I need to find out instead of doing a Google search.  I mean, I would use message for doing the Google search, summarizing the results and giving me a document.  That is something that;  like a perplexity can do instantly. I just started using for that for repurposing.  I don’t use AI for writing content. I think it doesn’t do a good job. I’ve tried it, but for repurposing content I think AI is a great tool. This is something that I think I human you know it’s inevitable that human assistance will be replaced with AI assistance for some of these tasks, but  I think.  More complex tasks…  There are more complex tasks. I think there is a gap between what a person should;  a productive, effective person should be focused on doing themselves and what they should be delegating to an assistant. And then when you delegate to that assistant and then there’s they could be delegating to an AI assistant. I still think there’s a huge opportunity of tasks for (human) assistants to do. Especially sequential tasks, multi –step tasks that there’s a lot of back and forth involved.  I definitely think human assistance will still continue to be very valuable.  GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us: https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us Sign Up: https://www.getfriday.com/sign-up

How is AI Transforming Human Virtual Assistance? Read More »

In a recent conversation with Sunder P, CEO of GetFriday, Nishant Kapoor (Productivity Coach and Consultant) in UK discussed how AI is reshaping the landscape of human virtual assistant tasks. Nishant highlighted that AI tools are highly efficient for automating research, summarizing information, and repurposing content—tasks that traditionally required significant human effort. Instead of manually searching for information, AI can now fetch, compile, and present insights almost instantly. However, Nishant also emphasized that while AI is a game-changer for repetitive and structured tasks, it still falls short when it comes to handling complex, multi-step processes that require critical thinking, decision-making, and adaptability. Tasks involving extensive back-and-forth communication, nuanced problem-solving, and strategic execution continue to rely heavily on human assistants. Rather than replacing human VAs, AI is becoming a complementary tool, allowing assistants to focus on higher-value activities that demand judgment, emotional intelligence, and personalization. GetFriday is training its assistant to use AI tools effectively to optimize work outcomes for its clients. So you get the power of AI with the guard rails of human due diligence. Video Transcript (Nishant Kapoor)  Nishant: I definitely think I would say that a lot of my. research right, I can ask AI, you know, for example, anything I need to find out instead of doing a Google search.  I mean, I would use message for doing the Google search, summarizing the results and giving me a document.  That is something that;  like a perplexity can do instantly. I just started using for that for repurposing.  I don’t use AI for writing content. I think it doesn’t do a good job. I’ve tried it, but for repurposing content I think AI is a great tool. This is something that I think I human you know it’s inevitable that human assistance will be replaced with AI assistance for some of these tasks, but  I think.  More complex tasks…  There are more complex tasks. I think there is a gap between what a person should;  a productive, effective person should be focused on doing themselves and what they should be delegating to an assistant. And then when you delegate to that assistant and then there’s they could be delegating to an AI assistant. I still think there’s a huge opportunity of tasks for (human) assistants to do. Especially sequential tasks, multi –step tasks that there’s a lot of back and forth involved.  I definitely think human assistance will still continue to be very valuable.  GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us: https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us Sign Up: https://www.getfriday.com/sign-up

How I started small but quickly went on to use Virtual Assistance for all my businesses.

How I started small but quickly went on to use Virtual Assistance for all my businesses.

When Anton Bennink (Co-owner, Musclebrand, Netherlands) started with GetFriday, he had no idea how much of an impact it would have on his business. He began cautiously, opting for a 5 hour per month plan, just to test the waters of outsourcing. As someone who prefers working virtually and has no interest in managing a physical office, Anton wanted to keep his operations as lean and flexible as possible. Inspired by The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss and a mentor’s advice – “start outsourcing before you’re ready,” he took the leap. Initially delegating small tasks, Anton quickly saw the benefits of virtual assistance. Today, his usage has grown to 60 hours per month, supporting multiple aspects of his businesses. What began as an experiment has become a crucial part of his workflow proving that with the right support, scaling and efficiency go hand in hand. Video Transcript Anton Bennink: We started with Get Friday about a year ago and we started off with a package of five hours a month literally for me to just get the hang of, all right, how do I outsource things? The reason that I went for a virtual assistant is because I like to live virtually myself. I don’t really want to manage an office. Also the fulfillment for our web shop, I’m looking into outsourcing it. So like I want to kind of keep everything virtual. And I love to study. And I came across the four hour work week from Timothy Ferris. And he gave some suggestions and some ideas. And then I have another mentor in the back of my head that states, start outsourcing before you’re ready. So I did some research. I landed at Get Friday and I just got started. And with some simple things at the beginning, simple things to outsource. And now a year later, this from a package from five hours a month, I think now we use about 60 hours a month for all different surfaces throughout basically all my different companies. GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us: https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us Sign Up: https://www.getfriday.com/sign-up

How I started small but quickly went on to use Virtual Assistance for all my businesses. Read More »

When Anton Bennink (Co-owner, Musclebrand, Netherlands) started with GetFriday, he had no idea how much of an impact it would have on his business. He began cautiously, opting for a 5 hour per month plan, just to test the waters of outsourcing. As someone who prefers working virtually and has no interest in managing a physical office, Anton wanted to keep his operations as lean and flexible as possible. Inspired by The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss and a mentor’s advice – “start outsourcing before you’re ready,” he took the leap. Initially delegating small tasks, Anton quickly saw the benefits of virtual assistance. Today, his usage has grown to 60 hours per month, supporting multiple aspects of his businesses. What began as an experiment has become a crucial part of his workflow proving that with the right support, scaling and efficiency go hand in hand. Video Transcript Anton Bennink: We started with Get Friday about a year ago and we started off with a package of five hours a month literally for me to just get the hang of, all right, how do I outsource things? The reason that I went for a virtual assistant is because I like to live virtually myself. I don’t really want to manage an office. Also the fulfillment for our web shop, I’m looking into outsourcing it. So like I want to kind of keep everything virtual. And I love to study. And I came across the four hour work week from Timothy Ferris. And he gave some suggestions and some ideas. And then I have another mentor in the back of my head that states, start outsourcing before you’re ready. So I did some research. I landed at Get Friday and I just got started. And with some simple things at the beginning, simple things to outsource. And now a year later, this from a package from five hours a month, I think now we use about 60 hours a month for all different surfaces throughout basically all my different companies. GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us: https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us Sign Up: https://www.getfriday.com/sign-up

Clearing the Air - Apprehensions on Remote Work with a Virtual Assistant

Clearing the Air – Apprehensions on Remote Work with a Virtual Assistant

When you first hear about the idea of outsourcing your work to a virtual assistant on the other side of the world, it can sound too good to be true. That was exactly how Seppe Thys, Managing Director of Hamster Cleaning, felt when he first came across the concept. The idea of working just four hours a week, as described in Tim Ferriss’ book The 4-Hour Workweek, seemed unbelievable. But beyond the skepticism, there were also practical concerns. Seppe wondered how a virtual assistant could handle tasks in a different language and culture. Would it be strange to ask a remote assistant to book an appointment in Flanders (Flemish Region of Belgium) using English? However, Seppe realized that outsourcing goes beyond just making appointments. There were numerous other tasks that could be outsourced efficiently without language barrier. His experience highlights the importance of choosing the right tasks to outsource and embracing the potential of remote assistance. Video Transcript:  Sunder (GetFriday): Why did you have those apprehensions at the start? Is it because it was talking about a four hour work per week lifestyle design which seemed like thoroughly impossible or is it the apprehensions of sending off work to a far away place and not being able to meet the person face to face? Which of these apprehensions were playing on your mind when you did get started first time? Seppe Thys: Two things, It sounded unbelievable, that something like that is possible. So that’s the first thing because it’s very, well, it actually is unbelievable; four hour workweek and outsourcing your life to somebody at a very far distance away. Second thing is also a practical thing which encountered my mind is that’s okay, for somebody who is American; English is the native language. So you can; so I think Tim Ferriss in his book, he has some examples that he asks, for example, his personal assistant from Get Friday to book an appointment for him in a restaurant or whatsoever. Well, that is something of course, which is, it’s…I do not want to say not possible in Belgium or using another language, but it will be very weird that if I ask my PA to book an appointment for me in Flanders in English language. That’s a little bit weird. That was a little bit of a drawback to start with, but then I said, okay, there are…but there are many other things which can be outsourced besides making appointments and questions, of course. GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us: https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us Sign Up: https://www.getfriday.com/sign-up

Clearing the Air – Apprehensions on Remote Work with a Virtual Assistant Read More »

When you first hear about the idea of outsourcing your work to a virtual assistant on the other side of the world, it can sound too good to be true. That was exactly how Seppe Thys, Managing Director of Hamster Cleaning, felt when he first came across the concept. The idea of working just four hours a week, as described in Tim Ferriss’ book The 4-Hour Workweek, seemed unbelievable. But beyond the skepticism, there were also practical concerns. Seppe wondered how a virtual assistant could handle tasks in a different language and culture. Would it be strange to ask a remote assistant to book an appointment in Flanders (Flemish Region of Belgium) using English? However, Seppe realized that outsourcing goes beyond just making appointments. There were numerous other tasks that could be outsourced efficiently without language barrier. His experience highlights the importance of choosing the right tasks to outsource and embracing the potential of remote assistance. Video Transcript:  Sunder (GetFriday): Why did you have those apprehensions at the start? Is it because it was talking about a four hour work per week lifestyle design which seemed like thoroughly impossible or is it the apprehensions of sending off work to a far away place and not being able to meet the person face to face? Which of these apprehensions were playing on your mind when you did get started first time? Seppe Thys: Two things, It sounded unbelievable, that something like that is possible. So that’s the first thing because it’s very, well, it actually is unbelievable; four hour workweek and outsourcing your life to somebody at a very far distance away. Second thing is also a practical thing which encountered my mind is that’s okay, for somebody who is American; English is the native language. So you can; so I think Tim Ferriss in his book, he has some examples that he asks, for example, his personal assistant from Get Friday to book an appointment for him in a restaurant or whatsoever. Well, that is something of course, which is, it’s…I do not want to say not possible in Belgium or using another language, but it will be very weird that if I ask my PA to book an appointment for me in Flanders in English language. That’s a little bit weird. That was a little bit of a drawback to start with, but then I said, okay, there are…but there are many other things which can be outsourced besides making appointments and questions, of course. GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us: https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us Sign Up: https://www.getfriday.com/sign-up

Productivity Boost for Startup Founders with the GetFriday Virtual Assistant

Productivity Boost for Startup Founders with the GetFriday Virtual Assistant

“Virtual assistance can enhance your startup’s productivity” says Aike Müller, a startup founder of RMBG in Netherlands who has experienced firsthand the impact of such a service. Here in conversation with Sunder. P, CEO of GetFriday when posed with this question, “Has it helped you achieve a healthy work-life balance or has it actually made you more productive at work?”, Aike Müller’s honest response sheds light on the real-world benefits and limitations. For startup founders like Aike, where every day is packed to the brim, achieving a healthy work-life balance seems almost mythical. Yet, the introduction of a virtual assistant from GetFriday has allowed Aike to elevate that brim a little higher, enabling more tasks to be completed within the same tight timeframe. Aike candidly admits that while the virtual assistant doesn’t necessarily free up time for leisure activities like reading a book or taking a walk, it does enhance his overall productivity at work. This nuanced reflection highlights the tangible impact of virtual assistance on a busy startup founder’s life, offering a glimpse into how GetFriday plays a crucial role in managing the chaos and demands of modern work-life dynamics. Video Transcript (Aike Müller) Sunder (GetFriday, CEO): Has it helped you achieve a healthy work-life balance, or has it actually made you more productive at work? What is the impact that Get Friday has had on your life? Aike Müller: I think it is, I think productivity is, I think it’s your, yeah. I mean, especially as a startup founder, your day is filled up to the brim. And there, I mean, there’s no healthy work life balance, I guess. And the virtual assistant allows you to, to have the brim a little bit higher and to get more in a day. But it’s, yeah, it’s not necessarily that you, that I would read a book or do something or go for a walk in the time that the virtual assistant is executing a task. GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us: https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us Sign Up: https://www.getfriday.com/sign-up

Productivity Boost for Startup Founders with the GetFriday Virtual Assistant Read More »

“Virtual assistance can enhance your startup’s productivity” says Aike Müller, a startup founder of RMBG in Netherlands who has experienced firsthand the impact of such a service. Here in conversation with Sunder. P, CEO of GetFriday when posed with this question, “Has it helped you achieve a healthy work-life balance or has it actually made you more productive at work?”, Aike Müller’s honest response sheds light on the real-world benefits and limitations. For startup founders like Aike, where every day is packed to the brim, achieving a healthy work-life balance seems almost mythical. Yet, the introduction of a virtual assistant from GetFriday has allowed Aike to elevate that brim a little higher, enabling more tasks to be completed within the same tight timeframe. Aike candidly admits that while the virtual assistant doesn’t necessarily free up time for leisure activities like reading a book or taking a walk, it does enhance his overall productivity at work. This nuanced reflection highlights the tangible impact of virtual assistance on a busy startup founder’s life, offering a glimpse into how GetFriday plays a crucial role in managing the chaos and demands of modern work-life dynamics. Video Transcript (Aike Müller) Sunder (GetFriday, CEO): Has it helped you achieve a healthy work-life balance, or has it actually made you more productive at work? What is the impact that Get Friday has had on your life? Aike Müller: I think it is, I think productivity is, I think it’s your, yeah. I mean, especially as a startup founder, your day is filled up to the brim. And there, I mean, there’s no healthy work life balance, I guess. And the virtual assistant allows you to, to have the brim a little bit higher and to get more in a day. But it’s, yeah, it’s not necessarily that you, that I would read a book or do something or go for a walk in the time that the virtual assistant is executing a task. GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us: https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us Sign Up: https://www.getfriday.com/sign-up

Why Choose GetFriday for Virtual Assistance Over Upwork?

Why Choose GetFriday for Virtual Assistance Over Upwork?

In today’s fast-paced business environment, finding the right administrative support can make all the difference. Michael McGuigan, Managing Director at Nomadic Insights, USA acknowledges the advantages of choosing GetFriday’s virtual assistance over outsourcing platforms like Upwork or other freelancers. He highlights how GetFriday not only provides tailored support but also effectively mitigates the risks often associated with hiring freelancers, thus allowing him to work with a team that functions more like an integral part of his own staff. Listen to Michael’s insights about why GetFriday is the preferred choice for those seeking reliable virtual assistance. Video Transcript (Michael Mcguigan) “I would say that with Get Friday, it’s more of the continuity and actually having a team because the problem is, with an Upwork especially since their IPO and the changeovers, it’s more of like a staffing solution with contractors. With Get Friday, I think it’s like I’m looking more for a staff member, but I’m not looking to hire in India. So, I almost look at it as if I’m going to work with somebody in India you know. GetFriday takes away a lot of the risk of hiring, but I’m looking to work with somebody more full time and on more of a continual basis, who at least has a team behind them. Whereas I really view, you know, Upwork is I’m just hiring a freelancer. And it’s just an independent contractor.”   GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us: https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us Sign Up: https://www.getfriday.com/sign-up

Why Choose GetFriday for Virtual Assistance Over Upwork? Read More »

In today’s fast-paced business environment, finding the right administrative support can make all the difference. Michael McGuigan, Managing Director at Nomadic Insights, USA acknowledges the advantages of choosing GetFriday’s virtual assistance over outsourcing platforms like Upwork or other freelancers. He highlights how GetFriday not only provides tailored support but also effectively mitigates the risks often associated with hiring freelancers, thus allowing him to work with a team that functions more like an integral part of his own staff. Listen to Michael’s insights about why GetFriday is the preferred choice for those seeking reliable virtual assistance. Video Transcript (Michael Mcguigan) “I would say that with Get Friday, it’s more of the continuity and actually having a team because the problem is, with an Upwork especially since their IPO and the changeovers, it’s more of like a staffing solution with contractors. With Get Friday, I think it’s like I’m looking more for a staff member, but I’m not looking to hire in India. So, I almost look at it as if I’m going to work with somebody in India you know. GetFriday takes away a lot of the risk of hiring, but I’m looking to work with somebody more full time and on more of a continual basis, who at least has a team behind them. Whereas I really view, you know, Upwork is I’m just hiring a freelancer. And it’s just an independent contractor.”   GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us: https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us Sign Up: https://www.getfriday.com/sign-up

AI vs. Human Virtual Assistants: Why Empathy and Creativity Still Matters?

AI vs. Human Virtual Assistants: Why Empathy and Creativity Still Matters?

In a recent conversation with Kane Lam from Checksub, Sunder. P (CEO, GetFriday) shared insights on how the rise of AI is reshaping the world of virtual assistant services, highlighting both the benefits and limitations of these technological advancements. While AI (ChatGPT or Gemini (formerly Bard) have streamlined tasks like scheduling and content generation, it lacks the empathy and creativity that only humans can provide. As businesses increasingly adopt AI tools, the irreplaceable human touch in virtual assistance remains crucial for delivering personalized support and ensuring trustworthiness in data and content. The future of virtual assistance lies in blending AI’s efficiency with the value of human empathy, diligence and care.  (Kane Lam in Conversation with Sunder P, GetFriday) Video Transcript (Kane Lam Conversation with Sunder P, GetFriday)   Kane Lam (Checksub): How is AI impacting your business? How is AI impacting virtual assistance?    Sunder (GetFriday): Virtual assistance has come a long way over the last 20 years. There are a lot of things that we used to do that we don’t currently do because there are specialized services on the internet that can accomplish this. A lot of appointment scheduling, for example, calendly is there, you just send you open your calendar and I can fix an appointment. I don’t need anybody to actually do it on my behalf physically. So there are a lot of options that have come up which changes the dynamics of the services that we offer but I still feel that a human touch and there are certain things that cannot be substituted yet by artificial intelligence or any kind of machine learning or any kind of robot that can substitute a human person. So there is also in terms of virtual assistance and human support; there is a certain level of empathy that you display. You empathize, you are having a bad day at work and I am your assistant, I also understand that you are having a bad day at work. So I sort of adjust the way I converse, the way I ask for work or the way I ask you. There are days when you will really be excited and I might also share the same enthusiasm you don’t get that with AI. So working with a human person is totally different. But the range of tasks that have been coming in, like for example, AI has probably wiped out a lot of content writers because anybody can just go to Chat GPT or Bard (now Gemini) and say, “Hey, write me a short article on this subject but the problem there is that it will probably churn out exact replicas or it might not be creative enough because even when you say get more creative; maybe do it better it doesn’t give you anything more creative because it goes and churns the same content over and over again and I don’t think creativity is something that is yet to, it follows certain set patterns and that’s how it can generate the content.    And two, there is this classic case of a law firm that actually presented certain AI generated or a ChatGPT kind of references in a legal case where there was a case against an airline called Avianca which operates out of Colombia where there was a personal injury for a person. He had filed a lawsuit against the airline and the law firm representing the client had filed references to cases which happened to be churned out of ChatGPT. And what happened was the opposition lawyers actually found out that those cases never existed which means ChatGPT and such AI tools are actually now starting to create content, create references which do not exist. Which means it becomes a case where you are relying on certain information as being true, authentic but it is not true.    So, AI has been built with some loose building blocks where it is supposed to function in a certain way, but you have actually no control over its output at the moment. Nobody can predict what is the result. Not even the engineers who built Bard or built ChatGPT can actually predict what the response will be in a particular situation. That comes to the ethics of doing things through AI. So yes, it can automate things. It can make it faster in some ways. But I think human intervention is still required on any kind of work.    You can ask the AI to give you certain data, it can probably crawl and give you certain information and data points, but it still becomes your duty and responsibility to check whether those data points are authentic, true and can be trusted. So that’s where I think we have slowly started getting requests from our clients saying “hey, use ChatGPT, but then ensure I’m on the safe side. Ensure you do your due diligence and ensure data that is being brought out is authentic and can be used.” So these are small businesses that are taking our help to build up websites, to put up content, to publish flyers, to maybe collect data on market research. Use these tools but use it very judiciously.    So, we are actually getting down to training our staff on how to use these AI tools very judiciously and ensure that our clients are being protected in every manner. So things will change, it will morph over the next five years but I feel that human intervention will still be required and the human touch and empathy can never ever be replaced. And that’s where virtual assistance with humans makes a world of difference.    GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us: https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us Sign Up: https://www.getfriday.com/sign-up

AI vs. Human Virtual Assistants: Why Empathy and Creativity Still Matters? Read More »

In a recent conversation with Kane Lam from Checksub, Sunder. P (CEO, GetFriday) shared insights on how the rise of AI is reshaping the world of virtual assistant services, highlighting both the benefits and limitations of these technological advancements. While AI (ChatGPT or Gemini (formerly Bard) have streamlined tasks like scheduling and content generation, it lacks the empathy and creativity that only humans can provide. As businesses increasingly adopt AI tools, the irreplaceable human touch in virtual assistance remains crucial for delivering personalized support and ensuring trustworthiness in data and content. The future of virtual assistance lies in blending AI’s efficiency with the value of human empathy, diligence and care.  (Kane Lam in Conversation with Sunder P, GetFriday) Video Transcript (Kane Lam Conversation with Sunder P, GetFriday)   Kane Lam (Checksub): How is AI impacting your business? How is AI impacting virtual assistance?    Sunder (GetFriday): Virtual assistance has come a long way over the last 20 years. There are a lot of things that we used to do that we don’t currently do because there are specialized services on the internet that can accomplish this. A lot of appointment scheduling, for example, calendly is there, you just send you open your calendar and I can fix an appointment. I don’t need anybody to actually do it on my behalf physically. So there are a lot of options that have come up which changes the dynamics of the services that we offer but I still feel that a human touch and there are certain things that cannot be substituted yet by artificial intelligence or any kind of machine learning or any kind of robot that can substitute a human person. So there is also in terms of virtual assistance and human support; there is a certain level of empathy that you display. You empathize, you are having a bad day at work and I am your assistant, I also understand that you are having a bad day at work. So I sort of adjust the way I converse, the way I ask for work or the way I ask you. There are days when you will really be excited and I might also share the same enthusiasm you don’t get that with AI. So working with a human person is totally different. But the range of tasks that have been coming in, like for example, AI has probably wiped out a lot of content writers because anybody can just go to Chat GPT or Bard (now Gemini) and say, “Hey, write me a short article on this subject but the problem there is that it will probably churn out exact replicas or it might not be creative enough because even when you say get more creative; maybe do it better it doesn’t give you anything more creative because it goes and churns the same content over and over again and I don’t think creativity is something that is yet to, it follows certain set patterns and that’s how it can generate the content.    And two, there is this classic case of a law firm that actually presented certain AI generated or a ChatGPT kind of references in a legal case where there was a case against an airline called Avianca which operates out of Colombia where there was a personal injury for a person. He had filed a lawsuit against the airline and the law firm representing the client had filed references to cases which happened to be churned out of ChatGPT. And what happened was the opposition lawyers actually found out that those cases never existed which means ChatGPT and such AI tools are actually now starting to create content, create references which do not exist. Which means it becomes a case where you are relying on certain information as being true, authentic but it is not true.    So, AI has been built with some loose building blocks where it is supposed to function in a certain way, but you have actually no control over its output at the moment. Nobody can predict what is the result. Not even the engineers who built Bard or built ChatGPT can actually predict what the response will be in a particular situation. That comes to the ethics of doing things through AI. So yes, it can automate things. It can make it faster in some ways. But I think human intervention is still required on any kind of work.    You can ask the AI to give you certain data, it can probably crawl and give you certain information and data points, but it still becomes your duty and responsibility to check whether those data points are authentic, true and can be trusted. So that’s where I think we have slowly started getting requests from our clients saying “hey, use ChatGPT, but then ensure I’m on the safe side. Ensure you do your due diligence and ensure data that is being brought out is authentic and can be used.” So these are small businesses that are taking our help to build up websites, to put up content, to publish flyers, to maybe collect data on market research. Use these tools but use it very judiciously.    So, we are actually getting down to training our staff on how to use these AI tools very judiciously and ensure that our clients are being protected in every manner. So things will change, it will morph over the next five years but I feel that human intervention will still be required and the human touch and empathy can never ever be replaced. And that’s where virtual assistance with humans makes a world of difference.    GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us: https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us Sign Up: https://www.getfriday.com/sign-up

How I Got My Life Under Control with GetFriday’s Virtual Assistant Service

How I Got My Life Under Control with GetFriday’s Virtual Assistant Service

Genevieve Hood, a Senior Finance Professional in Hong Kong, shares her positive life experience with getting her personal life organized with the help of her virtual assistant, Sri, from Get Friday. Over the past few months, Genevieve has experienced the remarkable benefits of having a Virtual Assistant that handles all of her personal administrative work.  From managing her calendar and inbox to handling travel bookings and household errands, Sri has seamlessly integrated into Genevieve’s life, taking a significant burden off her shoulders. With daily email reminders, weekly updates and comprehensive personal support, Sri has not only helped Genevieve stay on top of her busy schedule and be less stressed but has also allowed her to reclaim something more precious; time. See how a Virtual Assistance Service like GetFriday can make a huge difference to your life! Video Transcript (Genevieve Hood): I have been working with Sri at Get Friday for a couple of months now and cannot recommend having a VA high enough. It’s been a great experience for me so far. Sri helps me with all of the personal admin in my life and manages my calendar, my inbox and also does a lot of the research that I don’t have time to do, replacing things for me around the house, helping me with travel bookings, etc.  One of the best things that Sri does is to send me an email every day, letting me know what’s coming up the next day, what’s coming up over the next four weeks, what I need to pack for the next day, what my kids need to pack, just helping me get through all of my admin, the schooling admin, it’s just fantastic. Really looking forward to continuing to work with Sri. Thank you for being so proactive and for helping me just get my life under control and just take away a lot of that admin burden. Thanks, bye.   GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us Today (https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us).

How I Got My Life Under Control with GetFriday’s Virtual Assistant Service Read More »

Genevieve Hood, a Senior Finance Professional in Hong Kong, shares her positive life experience with getting her personal life organized with the help of her virtual assistant, Sri, from Get Friday. Over the past few months, Genevieve has experienced the remarkable benefits of having a Virtual Assistant that handles all of her personal administrative work.  From managing her calendar and inbox to handling travel bookings and household errands, Sri has seamlessly integrated into Genevieve’s life, taking a significant burden off her shoulders. With daily email reminders, weekly updates and comprehensive personal support, Sri has not only helped Genevieve stay on top of her busy schedule and be less stressed but has also allowed her to reclaim something more precious; time. See how a Virtual Assistance Service like GetFriday can make a huge difference to your life! Video Transcript (Genevieve Hood): I have been working with Sri at Get Friday for a couple of months now and cannot recommend having a VA high enough. It’s been a great experience for me so far. Sri helps me with all of the personal admin in my life and manages my calendar, my inbox and also does a lot of the research that I don’t have time to do, replacing things for me around the house, helping me with travel bookings, etc.  One of the best things that Sri does is to send me an email every day, letting me know what’s coming up the next day, what’s coming up over the next four weeks, what I need to pack for the next day, what my kids need to pack, just helping me get through all of my admin, the schooling admin, it’s just fantastic. Really looking forward to continuing to work with Sri. Thank you for being so proactive and for helping me just get my life under control and just take away a lot of that admin burden. Thanks, bye.   GetFriday (earlier YMII or YourManInIndia) is a service that was featured and used in the NYTimes best-selling productivity and lifestyle design book ‘The 4-Hour-Workweek’ by Timothy Ferris. Contact Us Today (https://www.getfriday.com/contact-us).

How to Reclaim Your Passion Even When You are Super Busy

How to Reclaim Your Passion Even When You are Super Busy

Mikel Tube (Owner of Wooden Diving Board, Belgium), a seasoned government consultant, had long harbored dream of creating wooden diving boards. However, his demanding schedule left him with little time—certainly not the eight hours a day required to pursue this passion. After reading Tim Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Workweek, Mikel discovered the concept of virtual assistants and saw a solution to his time crunch. He signed up with GetFriday, aiming to delegate tasks and reclaim his Fridays, allowing him to focus on his new venture and achieve a better work-life balance. Though, the work life balance did not happen due to his love for work, it did help him achieve better productivity and efficiency.   Video Transcript: Sunder (GetFriday): When and how did you get started with GetFriday? What was the trigger point to get started? Mikel: “How did I get started with Get Friday and this will be a classic. Timothy Ferris! Yeah. But it was not immediately Get Friday. In fact, I had an idea. I was working as a consultant for the government. I had an idea and I made wooden diving boards and I said, okay, let’s try to make something from this.” “And since I was working at the Flemish government at that moment, I didn’t have like eight hours a day to spend on the new project. I read the book from Timothy Ferris, which must be a classic for you because everybody references to Timothy Ferris. And then I got this organization in my mind, like saying, “I need to go online, I need to have a website, I need to have some administration and all this.” “I heard about virtual assistants and then I checked, not only you, I checked others. I don’t know the other names again, but you have some competition. And finally, I ended with you. So you had a good plan. I think at that moment it was something like an eight hours plan, a week and all this. And yeah, we had a match. So 2013, trying to solve my problem of not having the time and trying to get my Friday, but that didn’t work and I didn’t get my Friday though.”  Sunder (GetFriday): But I guess we helped you on a lot more other things. This usually happens. It’s always about, we think it’s always about having a good work-life balance, but eventually it turns out that we help people do much more, but for the work-life balance.  Mikel:Yeah, indeed. We become more efficient, but the workloads because we love it. I think the people that you work with are people that love to work. And so, yeah, we don’t count our days. 

How to Reclaim Your Passion Even When You are Super Busy Read More »

Mikel Tube (Owner of Wooden Diving Board, Belgium), a seasoned government consultant, had long harbored dream of creating wooden diving boards. However, his demanding schedule left him with little time—certainly not the eight hours a day required to pursue this passion. After reading Tim Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Workweek, Mikel discovered the concept of virtual assistants and saw a solution to his time crunch. He signed up with GetFriday, aiming to delegate tasks and reclaim his Fridays, allowing him to focus on his new venture and achieve a better work-life balance. Though, the work life balance did not happen due to his love for work, it did help him achieve better productivity and efficiency.   Video Transcript: Sunder (GetFriday): When and how did you get started with GetFriday? What was the trigger point to get started? Mikel: “How did I get started with Get Friday and this will be a classic. Timothy Ferris! Yeah. But it was not immediately Get Friday. In fact, I had an idea. I was working as a consultant for the government. I had an idea and I made wooden diving boards and I said, okay, let’s try to make something from this.” “And since I was working at the Flemish government at that moment, I didn’t have like eight hours a day to spend on the new project. I read the book from Timothy Ferris, which must be a classic for you because everybody references to Timothy Ferris. And then I got this organization in my mind, like saying, “I need to go online, I need to have a website, I need to have some administration and all this.” “I heard about virtual assistants and then I checked, not only you, I checked others. I don’t know the other names again, but you have some competition. And finally, I ended with you. So you had a good plan. I think at that moment it was something like an eight hours plan, a week and all this. And yeah, we had a match. So 2013, trying to solve my problem of not having the time and trying to get my Friday, but that didn’t work and I didn’t get my Friday though.”  Sunder (GetFriday): But I guess we helped you on a lot more other things. This usually happens. It’s always about, we think it’s always about having a good work-life balance, but eventually it turns out that we help people do much more, but for the work-life balance.  Mikel:Yeah, indeed. We become more efficient, but the workloads because we love it. I think the people that you work with are people that love to work. And so, yeah, we don’t count our days.